Community group Save Our Coast (SOC) celebrated the rejection of the PEP 11 permits for offshore gas exploration by the Federal Government at Ocean Beach Surf Club on Saturday, March 1.
Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid and State Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris both popped by to congratulate Save Our Coast and the community for their strong advocacy of the coastal environment.
The celebration venue overlooked Umina and Ocean beaches where years ago Save Our Coast gathered the community to hold Hands Across the Sand – a stand against offshore gas, in one of the largest protests ever seen on the Coast, demonstrating the fierce community opposition to PEP11.
“Years ago on beautiful Umina Beach thousands of us held hands in a huge show of strength, united in caring for our coast, united in compassion for marine animals, and spoke up to Stop PEP 11,” SOC founder and Chair Dr Natasha Deen said.
“We thank all who raised their voices who joined us to speak up again the abhorrent plan to blast and drill off our beautiful coast that we depend on for our wellbeing.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government who have now rejected PEP 11 in a huge win for the environment and communities.
“We can breathe a sigh of relief – now we can celebrate this historic result that belongs to us all.”
A slideshow of the seven-year grassroots Save Our Coast campaign showed hundreds of images of numerous events including ocean festivals, marches and film screenings, attended collectively by thousands – which resulted in one of the most powerful movements seen on the Coast.
Save Our Coast committee member and environmental lawyer Kristyn Glanville said the Save Our Coast Stop PEP 11 campaign was “unique in its leadership, strategy and true grassroots activism which resulted in a rare and historic win”.
Umina local and Save Our Coast committee member Grant Focus read statements from Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches and Australian Conservation Foundation who congratulated the community on the “historic campaign” that was “admirable in its inclusivity” and an “inspiration to all”.
Robbi Luscombe of Living Ocean congratulated Save Our Coast on its inspiring campaign and said they were proud to have collaborated to stop seismic testing early in the campaign.
Other messages of support came from: Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi; Senator Peter Whish Wilson, who labelled the campaign “inspirational”; and Independent MP Zali Steggal who presented Save Our Coast petitions to parliament.
As the sun set over Umina Beach, after a moving traditional whale dance by Tim Selwyn, there was a celebratory toast to the spirit of community and to the sun setting on PEP 11.